The Infectious Science Podcast
🌍 Welcome to the Infectious Science Podcast – Your source for cutting-edge insights on infectious diseases and the power of the One Health approach! 🎙️ Our mission? To empower YOU with the knowledge to better understand and prevent the spread of emerging diseases. Whether you're a researcher, clinician, student, or simply curious about public health, we bring experts and thought leaders together to spark innovation, collaboration, and critical thinking. Join us as we dive into the latest research, share inspiring stories, and make complex science accessible to everyone. Let’s build a healthier, more resilient world—one episode at a time! 🌱💡 Subscribe now and become part of the global community driving a safer future! #OneHealth #PublicHealth #InfectiousDiseases
Episodes
The average primary care visit lasts about 18 minutes. Complex symptoms, multiple conditions, and a maze of electronic forms don’t fit neatly into that window—and neither do the emotions that come with being sick. We sat down with advocates including a medical writer who was part of ACT UP, a sickle cell advocacy leader and a humanities scholar turned epidemiologist to unpack how patients, families, and clinicians can...
Curious how AI can make healthcare feel more human instead of less? We sit down with medical writer and AI adoption strategist Dr. Núria Negrão, who went from bench science to building practical ways for clinicians, researchers, and communicators to use generative tools without losing accuracy or empathy. From HIV educations roots to today’s most promising AI workflows, we trace what’s working now and where the next b...
The climate isn’t just warming—it’s reorganizing the rules of biology. We explore how rising temperatures, deforestation, wildfire smoke, and thawing permafrost are reshaping the risk landscape for malaria parasites, heat-trained fungi, spillover-prone viruses, and resilient bacteria. From Kenyan highlands that became friendlier to Anopheles mosquitoes, to urban heat islands that may condition fungi to tolerate our bo...
Imagine a toxin so potent that a few nanograms can shut down a muscle—and yet, in the right hands, it eases migraines and calms spasms. We take you from the sausage-linked origins of botulism to the science of spores, food safety, infant risks, wound contamination, and the carefully controlled medical use of botulinum toxin. Along the way, we unpack how this anaerobic bacterium survives heat, why improperly canned foo...
War is a vector of disease. The battlefield isn't just a place where bullets fly—it's where pathogens thrive and evolve. Throughout human history, war and disease have been inseparable companions, creating perfect storms of contagion that affect soldiers and civilians alike.
Our journey begins in the Boer War concentration camps where measles swept through malnourished populations. We explore how th...
The cutting edge of infectious disease control isn't just about vaccines or treatments—it's increasingly about data. Dr. Stephen Molldrem, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Bioethics and Health Humanities, takes us deep into the world of pathogen genomics and the remarkable ethical questions that emerge when we sequence disease-causing microorganisms.
What happens when genetic analysis can po...
A hidden killer lurks in the humble dust of forgotten cabins and outbuildings across America. World-renowned virologist Dr. Thomas Ksiazek takes us behind the scenes of the landmark 1993 Four Corners outbreak, where hantavirus first emerged on the national stage, claiming lives with a swift and devastating pulmonary syndrome unlike anything seen before in North America.
With over four decades on the frontline...
Measles isn't just a childhood rash—it's a potentially devastating illness that can reset your entire immune system. In this eye-opening conversation, our team explores why this ancient virus still demands our attention in 2025.
When we began recording this episode, a troubling measles outbreak was unfolding in Texas, with two unvaccinated children already having lost their lives. We dive into the h...
What if your Google searches could predict disease outbreaks before traditional surveillance methods? That's exactly what happened during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic when researchers discovered online search patterns matched CDC data – but delivered results much faster.
Welcome to the fascinating world of infodemiology, where digital footprints become powerful tools for public health. In this eye-opening conv...
Unravel the intricate stories behind ancient mummies and their connection to various pathogens in our latest podcast episode of this season. This engaging discussion leads listeners through a fascinating exploration of how the health of past civilizations reveals untold secrets about diseases that shaped their societies. We explore the different types of mummies—both anthropogenic and spontaneous—and what their preser...
Unlock the secrets of the brain's most enigmatic conditions with Dr. Mauro Montalbano, our esteemed guest from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He takes us on a journey through his lab's cutting-edge research into neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS. You'll gain a deep understanding of the sinister role played by protein aggregates, particularly amyloid bet...
This episode tackles the alarming rise of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, exploring our hidden epidemic and the multitude of factors leading to this increase. We delve into the impact of COVID-19, the necessity for comprehensive sex education, the influence of cultural norms, and the importance of destigmatizing conversations around sexual health. Tune in to learn about:
• One Hea...
Gain a deeper understanding of the intricate connections between humans, animals, and the environment as we explore the One Health concept. Picture the harmony of adding a curious chameleon to our office or the joy of raising a lamb on a farm, and discover how these experiences underscore the vital interplay between species. Together, we unravel the complexities of zoonotic diseases, emphasizing the crucial balance ne...
Could tuberculosis truly shape our understanding of beauty? Prepare to unravel the eerie yet intriguing connection between this historical disease and the evolution of beauty standards across centuries. With Christina and Camille at the helm, we guide you through the pale, waif-like ideals of the 17th and 18th centuries, deeply entwined with TB’s impact. Drawing from Carolyn Day’s insightful work “Consumptive Chic,” w...
Happy Halloween from the Infectious Science Podcast team! Join us as we dive into the parallels between medical and folkloric narratives. In this episode we explore how rabies inspired the werewolf myth. We dissect how rabies causes neurological symptoms and explore how forms of education and storytelling around disease have shifted over time. We hope this episode has you howling with laughter as you learn something n...
Antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals have revolutionized modern medicine, saving countless lives and transforming our approach to infectious diseases. In this episode of our podcast, we delve into the differences between these powerful tools of modern medicine. We explore their discovery, impacts, and the pressing issue of evolving resistance.Â
We dive into where we get antibiotics, how they work and why ...
Unlock the mysteries of Hansen's disease with us as we welcome acclaimed dermatopathologist, Dr. Mara Dacso. Through her journey from medical school in Galveston to her significant work in Baton Rouge, Dr. Dacso shares her extensive knowledge on leprosy, often termed the "great mimicker". Learn how the varied clinical presentations—from minor skin patches to severe systemic reactions—pose challenges for...
Curious about how armadillos and ancient diseases intersect? Prepare to be captivated as we unravel the fascinating mysteries surrounding Hansen's disease, more commonly known as leprosy. We start this season with some fresh faces: Christina Rios, a first-year medical student with a veterinary background, and Camille Ledoux, a third-year PhD candidate specializing in infectious disease biology. They join us for a...
Ever wondered about the intricate connection between human, animal, plant, and environmental health? Join us as Dr. Shannan Rossi, an associate professor in the Department of Pathology at UTMB, illuminates this fascinating concept known as 'One Health'. Dr. Rossi enchants us with her research on developing countermeasures for mosquito-borne viruses, specifically the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. She ...
Ever wondered how bird flu affects not just our feathered friends, but also the wider ecosystem? Prepare to be enlightened as we journey into the world of avian influenza with Dr. Greg Gray. A respected authority on respiratory pathogens and one health, Dr. Gray offers invaluable insights into this widespread pandemic, highlighting the different hemagglutinin and neuraminidase types and their impact on various species...
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